Spaceflight Insider

News Archive / Tagged: Solid rocket motor

  • Aerojet Rocketdyne opens new solid rocket motor facility

    Patrick AttwellDecember 6th, 2019

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- Aerojet Rocketdyne announced that it is ready to begin winding carbon fiber cases for large solid rocket motors now that a new machine has been installed and commissioned at its Advanced Manufacturing Facility.

  • Vega-C rocket solid rocket motor tested in French Guiana

    Jason RhianJanuary 29th, 2019

    The vast jungles of French Guiana echoed with the sounds of a different type of thunder other than the natural kind on Monday Jan. 28. An artificial roar was generated by a solid rocket motor that is planned for use on the Vega-C rocket Arianespace is developing to launch upcoming missions.

  • NG engineer details what it is like to develop GEM 63 booster

    Jason RhianDecember 20th, 2018

    PROMONTORY, Utah -- Each component of a rocket is individual, yet it must function as one on the day of launch. The GEM 63 solid rocket motor has begun taking its first steps toward being integrated into one of the most successful rockets ever flown. What were those first steps like?

  • Gallery: Desolate Utah plains rumble with GEM 63’s fury

    Jason RhianSeptember 21st, 2018

    PROMONTORY, Utah — Northrop Grumman’s GEM 63 solid rocket motor conducted its first test fire at 1 p.m. MDT (3 p.m. EDT / 19:00 GMT) on Thursday, Sept. 20. The motor was tested under “cold conditions” of approximately 40 °F. The GEM 63 series is being developed for use on United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V […]

  • Northrop Grumman’s GEM 63 undergoes 1st test fire

    Jason RhianSeptember 20th, 2018

    The desolate, remote deserts of Utah came alive in fire and smoke during a test that heralded the introduction of powerful new launch vehicles onto the world stage.